top school team: Venice Christian [Right mouse click to see larger image]

Our events are open to players from kindergarten through high school, divided into sections based on age and ability. Historically, our biggest turnouts have been among 4th grade thru 6th grade players. Don't be discouraged if you've never been in a tournament before. It's still a fun full afternoon of chess, and the sorting that takes place from one round to the next pairs you up with more and more appropriately matched opponents. After each win you go on to face more challenging competition. After each loss, your competition gets easier, so it's well worth continuing to play.

Sections:

K-3 U500 -- open to students up thru 3rd grade, below 500 rating*

K-5 U700 -- open to students thru 5th grade, below 700 rating*

K-9 U1000 -- open to students thru 9th grade, below 1000 rating*

K-12 Open -- open to scholastic level players thru 12th grade, including younger players above 1000 rating. -- In the past, we have had relatively few high school particiants, so we will make this an Open section with cash prizes instead of trophies. Amounts will depend on number of registrants. Cash prizes will likely be $60-$30-$15 for the top three Open section finishers. More if we have a larger turnout.

* Ratings and grade level cutoffs are subject to change in order to balance out numbers in each section. Please see our Tournament FAQ section for explanations about ratings and other tournament features.

Format:

Five rounds, Swiss System (no elimination-- all players play all five rounds).

30 min for each of the first two rounds, then 40 minutes per round Sections K-3 and K-5. Games not completed by the end of the time alotted will be assessed and decided by a tournament judge.

Clocks will be used in the Open section. In K-9, if either player desires a clock, one will be used. Time control of G15;d0 in the first two rounds, then G/20;d0 (15/20min. per player, no time delay).

Registration:

$15 advance registration by Monday Jan 19, then $20 thru Thursday Jan 23. $25 onsite registration. USCF membership not required since this is not an official USCF event.

Prizes:

Individual trophies awarded to each of the top 6 places in each section.

In official US Chess Federation tournaments you are normally required to bring your own tournament chess set. Since we know many kids don't own their own regulation sets, we will provide the sets to use in all but the Open sections. Open section players will need to bring their own sets and clocks.

Schedule: (subject to change)

Please note that in order for us to start promptly at 1pm, we need signins and registrations to be complete by 12:30pm.